Looking for Medium Scale (32") Strings for 5-string bass

[BobbyMacII]

I recently picked up an Ibanez SRMD205 Mezzo 5-string bass guitar. It has a 32" medium scale. The factory specs on the Ibanez website for this guitar specify that it is equipped with DAddario EXL165 + .130 medium strings (gauges .045/.065/.085/.105/.130).

I could not find that exact string set anywhere online so I contacted George at DAddario customer service for help. He said DAddario has never made that string set for retail sale, never catalogued it, and it was most likely made exclusively for Ibanez for the Mezzo bass guitars.

My search for other manufacturers of Medium 32" scale string sets yielded only one that I could find: the Dunlop Medium Scale DBSBN45125M (same string gauges as the DAddario set mentioned above,except for the B string, which is .125 instead of .130). I bought the only set available on Amazon but no one else has them. I've checked all the big box outlets and string-specific websites with no luck. JustStrings tells me they do not carry any medium scale string sets in their catalog.

At least I have the one spare set of Dunlops but would like to find a source for medium scale string sets. I'd rather not go with long scale strings as they will be difficult (if not impossible) to affix to the B-string tuner due to their width.

Any recommendations from the bass experts here? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[michael_t]

My search for other manufacturers of Medium 32" scale string sets yielded only one that I could find: the Dunlop Medium Scale DBSBN45125M (same string gauges as the DAddario set mentioned above,except for the B string, which is .125 instead of .130). I bought the only set available on Amazon but no one else has them. I've checked all the big box outlets and string-specific websites with no luck. JustStrings tells me they do not carry any medium scale string sets in their catalog.

Are you based in the US? If so, get in touch with Jason at Fret Nation at [email protected]. He's the guy I usually order my strings from because he can special order just about anything, including singles and custom sets. He should be able to order the medium-scale Dunlop Super Brights no problem even if it's not something that's listed on his website.

 

[BobbyMacII]

michael-t: Yes, I am in the USA and I very much appreciate your reply. I'll reach out to Jason at FretNation and see if he can help me. Thanks again!!

 

[michael_t]

michael-t: Yes, I am in the USA and I very much appreciate your reply. I'll reach out to Jason at FretNation and see if he can help me. Thanks again!!

You can tell Jason Michael T from Winnipeg sent you there. He'll know who I am.

 

[BobbyMacII]

Just got a response back from Jason at Fret Nation. I purchased two sets of medium scale 5-string sets from him as follows:



1.0 X DBSBN45125M $24.99 USD $24.99 USD
Dunlop Superbright Nickel Medium Scale


and:



1.0 X DBFS45125M $69.95 USD $69.95 USD
Dunlop Medium Scale FlatWound Set


These prices include shipping!



I am set now with strings for my Ibanez Mezzo 5-string bass, with these two sets and another of the same Nickel Wound Superbrights I bought on Amazon a few days ago.



I have to say, I got the most help from Jason at Fret Nation and I'll be buying my guitar and bass strings from him from here on out.



Thanks to those of you who offered help. Much appreciated.

 

[iiipopes]

Let us all repeat the mantra:
1) measure from the ball anchor to the tuner side of the nut;
2) measure from the ball anchor to the center of the tuning post of the lowest string (the B string);
3) purchase a set of strings that the winding length or speaking length is between these two measurements.
I have never measured a Mezzo for strings, although I have considered purchasing one since I have transitioned away from normal 34-inch long scale basses to 33 and 32 scale. But as the OP observes, finding proper strings is the issue. Since the E string tuner is up the headstock, any regular long-scale 4-string set will work for GDAE; so the task is finding proper B strings. As Holmes said to Watson, "The game's afoot!"

 

[BobbyMacII]

I finally heard from an Ibanez representative late this afternoon regarding my inquiry into the string set installed by the factory on the Mezzo 5-string basses. It isn't 5-string set after all. Here's the response from Tod at Ibanez:

"Below are links for the strings that originally came on your bass.

EXL165 Nickel Wound | Bass Guitar Strings | D'Addario

https://www.daddario.com/products/guitar/single-strings/bass-singles/xl-nickel-round-wound-singles/item/dadddario-xlb130-nickel-wound-bass-guitar-single-string-medium-scale-130 -10230/

I was told by our bass buyer that the main set of long scale strings are fine to use. The single string is medium scale.

Hope this helps!"

In the second link, you have to scroll down almost all the way to the bottom in the "select an item" window to actually see the exact Medium Scale B string mentioned in the link.

So you do have to "make your own" set of DAddario bass strings for the Mezzo 5-string bass; using the long scale nickel wound exl165 set (45-105) and the single string nickel wound xlb130 B-string.

 

[pcake]

i have the mezzo 5, and i play extra lights. it seems no one makes extra lights for mezzo, so i ordered a custom set from newtone, and they fit perfectly. just another option in case you need one.

 

[HaphAsSard]

In the second link, you have to scroll down almost all the way to the bottom in the "select an item" window to actually see the exact Medium Scale B string mentioned in the link.

So you do have to "make your own" set of DAddario bass strings for the Mezzo 5-string bass; using the long scale nickel wound exl165 set (45-105) and the single string nickel wound xlb130 B-string.

Dang, there it is all-right: XLB130M, "single XL nickel wound 130 medium scale" low B (with also a medium-scale E string, XLB100M). Thanks!

 

[iiipopes]

I finally heard from an Ibanez representative late this afternoon regarding my inquiry into the string set installed by the factory on the Mezzo 5-string basses. It isn't 5-string set after all. Here's the response from Tod at Ibanez:

"Below are links for the strings that originally came on your bass.

EXL165 Nickel Wound | Bass Guitar Strings | D'Addario

https://www.daddario.com/products/guitar/single-strings/bass-singles/xl-nickel-round-wound-singles/item/dadddario-xlb130-nickel-wound-bass-guitar-single-string-medium-scale-130 -10230/

I was told by our bass buyer that the main set of long scale strings are fine to use. The single string is medium scale.

Hope this helps!"

In the second link, you have to scroll down almost all the way to the bottom in the "select an item" window to actually see the exact Medium Scale B string mentioned in the link.

So you do have to "make your own" set of DAddario bass strings for the Mezzo 5-string bass; using the long scale nickel wound exl165 set (45-105) and the single string nickel wound xlb130 B-string.

Great link! Thanks.

And if you want something a little lighter in the middle strings, I gig the EXL170BT 45-60-80-107 set with the 130 B string. For the mid-scale bass, the E string tuner is far enough up the headstock that the taper should not be an issue for long scale strings; the A and D tuners, being even further up the headstock, definitely are not at issue; and the 45 G string is not tapered, so it is not an issue. Remember that a typical acoustic guitar E string is 52 or 53, and winds around the smaller guitar tuners.

 

[SaxBass]

Those of you who have read this thread trying to get more strings for your 5-string Mezzo may have run into the same problem I did- unavailability of the .130 medium scale B string from D'Addario that comes stock on the bass.

I just learned it is now available as a single string on their website, using the link in post #7 above.

I happen to really like the strings that came with my bass and I'm very happy that D'Addario has again made available the medium scale .130 B.

I'm still amazed and pleased how good the B string is on my Mezzo. The only real mod I've done is switching out the preamp for a 4-band Classic Audere. And for me that can only help the B speak.